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One Hanford's WE23 Debut: Connecting Women in Engineering, Technology

The One Hanford team made its debut at the recent WE23 annual conference in Los Angeles.

Office of Environmental Management

November 14, 2023
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Woman in a green shirt stands at a table and speaks to a person with their back turned
EM Safety System Oversight Specialist Dimple Patel, right, speaks with an engineering student about Hanford Site opportunities during the recent WE23 Conference in Los Angeles.

LOS ANGELES – The One Hanford team made its debut at the recent WE23 annual conference in Los Angeles.

Sponsored by the Society of Women Engineers, WE23 is the world's largest gathering for women in engineering and technology fields. For the first time, 18 Hanford Site representatives joined more than 400 other exhibitors at the event. The Hanford team was there with a clear mission: recruit the next generation of Hanford engineers.

Representatives from EM’s Office of River Protection and Richland Operations Office, and Hanford contractors Bechtel National Inc., Central Plateau Cleanup Company, Hanford Mission Integration Solutions, Navarro-ATL and Washington River Protection Solutions engaged with prospective candidates at the conference and career fair.

"I was impressed by the energy and enthusiasm of the attendees at WE23,” said Sydney Nachbaur, Hanford’s Workforce Management Team lead. “The One Hanford team’s participation in this event was a fantastic opportunity to connect with talented individuals who are passionate about engineering and technology. The level of engagement and the diversity of perspectives we encountered were outstanding.”

A woman in a red shirt holds a paper and speaks to a man in a suit
Bechtel National Inc. Engineer Annalene Decker, left, provides insight into various Hanford Site career opportunities during the recent WE23 Conference in Los Angeles.
A person in a blue shirt stands beside a person in a black shirt and speaks to them
Navarro-ATL Mechanical Engineer Anna Boll, right, connects with a potential candidate about Hanford Site career opportunities during the recent WE23 Conference in Los Angeles.
3 woman stand and talk to each other
Hanford Site engineer Deanna McCranie, center, and Navarro-ATL human resources member Yolanda Tuan, right, answer questions about Hanford engineering opportunities for students and graduates at the recent WE23 Conference in Los Angeles.

WE23 had an estimated attendance of more than 17,000, from students to established professionals. In addition to the career fair, the event offered interactive workshops, panel discussions and exhibits to inspire, educate and empower women. Attendees could explore emerging trends, data and best practices in the world of engineering and technology.

“Participation in this event underscores the Hanford Site’s commitment to finding talented individuals to join the One Hanford team,” said Nachbaur. “Recruiting the next generation workforce is a priority for keeping the cleanup mission moving forward.”

-Contributor: Cerise Peck

Tags:
  • Careers
  • Environmental and Legacy Management
  • Energy Workforce
  • Nuclear Energy
  • Clean Energy